Tag Archives: Education

Essays are a huge part of college. No matter what you’re studying, there is bound to be at least one class in which the instructor assigns an essay (sometimes several). If you don’t mind writing, then it may be a piece of cake to crank out a five page paper. However, if you aren’t a big fan of writing and put it off until the last minute, it can be a nightmare. Either way, there are several important tips every college student should know to make your writing the best it can possibly be.

1. Find A Quiet Space

It is more difficult to study, do homework, prepare for exams, or write if you are sitting in a crowded, buzzing Starbucks. I used to bring my laptop there, thinking all of the other writers and readers would inspire me, but I only ended up distracted by the sound of steaming milk, coffee orders, and not-so-quiet conversations. When you’re in a quiet environment, such as the library or a study lounge, you’ll focus better. I also recommend to leave your living space to minimize typical distractions (roommates, television, etc.). If you tell yourself you are physically going somewhere to write, you will take it more seriously and be much more focused when you are in that environment.

2. Review, Review, Review

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen friends and fellow students make, is that they don’t take the time to re-read what they wrote when they have finished. However, reviewing your writing is so important! Avoid yourself the embarrassment of turning in a paper with simple mistakes (spelling, punctuation, and grammar). A lot of professors actually dock points for simple mistakes such as these. Reviewing it can also ensure that you have covered everything you wanted to in your paper and that it all makes sense. This is also the chance to read it aloud to hear how it will sound to your reader. Keep in mind who your reader is (your professor), and write it for them.

3. Remove Unnecessary Words

People sometimes add filler words to their writing to make it longer, which is clever (and I’ve done it too), but it’ll only make your writing sound immature. When you edit, delete these filler words, including “that,” “so,” “and,” etc. Sometimes you may not even realize these writing habits until you review your writing. Also, search your paper for repetitive words. Trying replacing words used often in your paper with synonyms to still explain your point without sounding redundant.

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4. Add Detail

Depending on what class and topic your essay is for, it might be a good idea to spice it up a bit with some added detail. It’s good to be informative in your writing, but to really grab a reader’s attention, add some adjectives to make your writing descriptive and easy to visualize. Write everything as if you’re really seeing it in front of you as it happens. J.K. Rowling and Tolkien had great success because their visions translated so well to paper with their descriptions.

5. Use Another Pair Of Eyes

Whether it’s a friend, classmate, or your instructor, have someone else read your writing. If they’re confused about something, that’s cue that revisions need to be made. Ask them for their honest feedback and to get out their pen to provide editing suggestions. You could even take it one step further and have them write down what they think the main idea of each paragraph is. If they have a different idea of what you were going for, it’s your chance to fix it.

Look for inspiration by taking a closer look at some of your favorite author’s writing. What in particular do you like about it? When you find the answer, learn to incorporate that into your own writing. The more you practice and try to improve your writing, the easier it will become to write. This skill will be helpful not just for college, but for any career as well.

How have you improved your writing skills? Share with us in a comment below!

In my last blog post, I talked about how to choose a college in the East or West coast. If you have got that down, now it’s time to start thinking by scale: urban or rural?

First, just to clarify, urban means areas with a high population density (50,000 or more), such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., or Philadelphia. Rural means anything outside of what would be called a city; the smaller towns.

From the time we’re little, we usually know which we prefer: a bustling city full of life and commotion, or a quiet, wide open space with room to breathe. Our parents usually decide where we live, though, and some of us never have the opportunity to travel and experience a different type of living. Determining the type of environment you want to live in is as important as determining which study method works for you. If you’re unhappy, it can affect your grades, and eventually career and internship opportunities.

So, before you decide on a college, consider these factors that go beyond the school itself:

1. Transportation

If you don’t have a car, public transportation may be necessary. Check to see what the school has to offer and how far things are for walking distance.

2. Entertainment

When you live in the country, a trip into the city is just that, a trip. Museums, shopping, and concerts are all typically in the city. Entertainment can be harder (but not impossible) to find in a rural area.

3. Hobbies

You’ll find a huge range of outdoor activities in rural settings. Some smaller towns have a great sense of community involvement, which can be a comforting feeling, especially if you’re far from actual family.

5. Internships

Most internships and jobs are in the city. It’s a trade-off; while you may not be able to have both the country life and a great internship, you can rest easy knowing you’ll be able to pick and choose later.

It’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your life: where to go to college. A lot of students-to-be simply choose the one conveniently located in their town, or at least in their state, to avoid out-of-state tuition costs, which can be pretty steep. However, if you’re considering attending a college outside of your state, there are several things you should keep in mind.

1. Cost

This is usually a big factor in the college decision, but don’t let the expense be the only factor. Remember, there are loans, grants, and scholarships available. Apply, apply, apply, and then, based on which types of aid you are offered, make your decision. Include transportation in costs too. Will you have to drive everywhere or is public transportation an option?

2. Family

Is being close to your family important to you? If you tend to get homesick easily, consider choosing a college somewhat close to home. Some students like being able to drive home on the weekend, or being able to attend family gatherings.

3. Location

A lot of people would argue that people are friendlier on the West Coast than they are on the East Coast. The East Coast is generally stereotyped as being stuck up and for the “rich kids,” while the West Coast is stereotyped as almost too laid back. If you like to spend your time outdoors, a West Coast college is perfect for you with more wide-open spaces for more outdoor activities. Recreation on the East Coast usually means city activities.

4. Weather

For those wanting four seasons, consider a college in New England. Like the laid-back, comfortable climate? Consider down south. Also, there tend to be less serious natural disasters on the West Coast.

5. Safety

There is going to be crime anywhere you live, but some areas have a lower level of it. Also, some colleges are more on top of campus security than others. If that’s important to you, make sure to research it.

If possible, try to visit the colleges you’re considering before making a decision. Also, to save money, consider community college for the first two years and then transferring to a university. There are great colleges everywhere – spend the time finding the one that best fits your major, your budget, and your lifestyle.

Study breaks keep the gray matter in your head fresh after long periods of thinking. With that in mind, the BookRenter “Digiterns” (aka Digital Interns) compiled their favorite five minute study breaks (in no particular order). So when you’re feeling the mental burn, take five and be ready to cram even more knowledge into that noggin.